Been a while...

October was rather crazy busy around here and although the blog was on my mind on a regular basis (and there was some guilt over not writing as often) I never found the time to sit down and actually compose anything. I'm hoping that November will be different but with the holidays around the corner and some projects I'd like to work looming upon me, let's just play it by ear and not make any promises. :-)

I had a friend in high school who told me about a friend of hers (that she met in a rather seedy establishment and was significantly older than us) that went panhandling and made X amount of dollars doing so. This "friend" did have a regular job so I asked naively why he was panhandling. Apparently because it was a pretty good way to make some cash was the answer. Jaw drops.... That pretty much altered my view of homeless and panhandlers on the street. How was I supposed to determine which ones were legitimate and needed help and which ones were like this "friend"? It's amazing that it's always one bad apple in the bunch that can make you judge the whole barrel, and this isn't even my typical way of thinking. I usually approach things on a individual basis, but this really rubbed me the wrong way.

So, I am not one to give spare change to anyone anymore. It's not like I was doling it out prior to this incident, but it has definitely skewed my sense of charity. However, there is one charitable thing that I do either biennially or triennially. This happened to be one of those years.

I chop off at least 12" every 2-3 years and donate it to Angel Hair for Kids or Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program so that they can make wigs for cancer patients and anyone else who has lost their hair from medical conditions or treatments. I have a lot of hair and it grows quickly so it's something that I feel can benefit others that's very easy for me to give. This will be the 5th "lock" I've given and I'll continue to do so as long as my graying hair will let me.

The hairstylist I went to this year was quite surprised at my blase attitude about chopping off so much hair. She buys extensions to put in hers as she can't get length or volume naturally. PB is never ecstatic about me chopping it off, as he's very partial to long hair, but understands that it is mine and mine to give away if I so desire.

What does irk me about this year's donation is that I specifically requested, as I always do, to have enough lenth remaining to throw up in a ponytail as I am not very fussy about "doing" my hair on a daily basis. The layering and thinning of my hair did not permit me to do so very easily with this new haircut and as a new mother, it's driving me up the wall!!! The one time I don't have the time or the patience to be fiddling with my hair and I can't put it up without wispies falling down is aggravating. My only consolation is that my hair does grow quickly... although this time, it couldn't be fast enough! :-)